We are bringing your attention to an important article published by Embassy Newsweekly regarding Canada’s position on the UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights situations in Burma. You will also see the supporting statement of all three Canadian opposition political parties: Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois.
But first, you can view a statement of Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon that was videotaped and sent to the Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB). The video-taped message was showed at Regional Strategy Meeting (RSM) held in Thailand on Sept. 9, 2010, where more than 80 leading Burma campaigners representing 54 groups from more than 20 countries including Canada and the United States attended.
-Canadian Friends of Burma
The text of the Minister’s statement in video-tape:
“Canada has consistently called upon the Burmese regime to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people in Burma. Canada has imposed the toughest sanctions in the world against the Burmese authorities to emphasize our condemnation of the regime’s disregard for human rights and its repression of the country’s democratic forces.”
“Canada supports both the UN Special Rapporteur’s work on human rights in Burma, and the idea of a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses by the Burmese regime. We will work with our allies in the international community to develop a common approach to support the recommendations that the Rapporteur will present to an upcoming committee of the UN General Assembly.”
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Canada throws support behind Burma inquiry
By Lee Berthiaume
Embassy Newsweekly – (Canada’s Foreign Policy Newsweekly)
Published September 8, 2010
http://www.embassymag.ca/page/view/burma-09-08-2010
Canada has followed the US and several other countries by throwing its support behind calls for a UN inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma.
But while the news has been met with applause from some quarters, others say the government's support appears tentative at best, and they continue to question why it took so long for a Canadian position to become known.
In March, Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN special human rights rapporteur to Burma, issued a report to the UN Human Rights Council claiming there have been "gross and systematic" human rights abuses in the country, which is also known as Myanmar, involving all levels of authorities and branches of government.
The report says the "possibility exists that some of these human rights violations may entail categories of crimes against humanity or war crimes under the terms of the Statute of the International Criminal Court."
Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic and Slovakia moved to back Mr. Quintana's call for the establishment of an inquiry into possible war crimes in the military junta-controlled country. The biggest boost to the effort, however, came last month when American officials revealed the US was also in favour of such a move.
In an email to Embassy last week, a spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, Melissa Lantsman, wrote: "Canada supports both the UN special rapporteur's work on human rights abuses in Burma, and the idea of a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses by the Burmese regime,"
"We will work with our allies in the international community to develop a common approach to support the recommendations that the rapporteur will present to an upcoming session of the UN General Assembly."
News of the government's decision to support the call for a UN inquiry was met with applause.
"We are very relieved and feel excited and happy that Canada is indeed responding to a mounting call from both domestic and international communities to support a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma," Tin Maung Htoo, executive director of the Canadian Friends of Burma, wrote in an email. "This response and position show Canada is in line with other like-minded countries...in calling for accountability and responsibility of all forms human rights violations taking place in Burma."
However, Mr. Htoo said a number of questions still remain, including the exact form of Canada's support.
"How are they going to implement it?" he asked. "There are many, many steps ahead."
Ms. Lantsman said that "once our consultations are over, and once we are presented with something formal on which we can draw our support, we will."
NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar, who is also co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Burma group, commended the government for its decision, but questioned why it took so long for Canada to break its silence.
Ms. Lantsman did not explain what many felt was a slow response. However, it is likely not a coincidence that the announcement came only after the Obama administration had made its position known.
The US had been pursuing a policy of diplomatic engagement with the military junta, but a senior administration official told the Washington Post: "There have been no positive results on democracy and human rights in our diplomatic engagement."
At the same time, there may have been concerns that such a call could endanger elections set for Nov. 7—the first to be held in Burma in decades. Canada has already expressed concern about the pending polls, which many doubt will be free or fair. However, some Burmese pro-democracy groups have held out hope the elections will mark a small move towards true democracy in the country.
Mr. Dewar says if Canada was concerned about the impact such a declaration would have on the elections, "I don't see why they would be reluctant to say they were waiting to see how things went."
Brian John, Amnesty International Canada's Myanmar co-ordinator, said that "it is about time that the government took a stand on this vital matter."
However, he also felt the statement was anything but clear, and questioned why the government would wait for the UN special rapporteur to file his report with the UN Human Rights Council later this month before coming out with a clear call for a commission of inquiry.
"Why wait?" he asked. "Is Mr Quintana likely to change his mind from what he reported in March? The human rights situation in Myanmar has not changed—except for the worse."
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Liberals call on the Conservative government to support a United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in Burma
OTTAWA (August 27, 2010) – The Liberal Party is calling on the Conservative government to support an international call for a special United Nations Commission of Inquiry into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Burmese junta.
“Today, we are calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon to break their silence and join the United States, Britain, other countries and countless venerable human rights organizations in their appeal for a United Nations mandated Commission of Inquiry,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.
“The alleged crimes committed by the junta against Burmese citizens are terrible and long-standing. An effective Commission of Inquiry would be an important first step toward justice for the people of Burma. Liberals believe that Canada has an obligation to advocate for this Inquiry.”
“The situation in Burma is dire,” said Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae. “Despite losing a national election in 1990 to the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s dictatorial military-led government refused to step down and continues to violently repress any attempts by the people to assert their democratic rights. Burmese citizens are ruthlessly denied freedom of speech, association and assembly. The junta is also accused of vicious ethnic repression, as well as campaigns of systematic rape and forced labour.”
“In a display of solidarity, both myself and many of my Liberal colleagues have signed the Parliamentary Friends of Burma petition for the Inquiry organized by the Canadian Friends of Burma association,” continued Mr. Rae.
“The international community is questioning Canada’s silence. Before any Commission of Inquiry can proceed, it needs a mandate from the United Nations – and Canada’s support would go a long way to making that happen,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff. “Stephen Harper must heed the call to support the Commission of Inquiry as an important first step towards justice.”
http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/liberals-call-on-the-conservative-government-to-support-a-united-nations-commission-of-inquiry-on-the-human-rights-situation-in-burma/
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New Democrats call for UN commission of inquiry on Burma
OTTAWA (Tue 31 Aug 2010) – Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).
“Canadians have spoken out against human rights violations in Burma – from political repression and forced displacement of civilians to sexual violence, torture and murder,” said Layton. “Violating human rights has been used systematically and with impunity by the Burmese junta and it’s time to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry.”
If countries like Canada failed to call for a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma, the junta regime will only be emboldened to continue its violations of human rights, said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre).
“With no further delay, Canada should support the call for the establishment of the commission and offer its active role in coordinating such an inquiry,” said Dewar. “Canadians have a history of being human rights champions and supporters.”
United States, Britain and Australia, among others, have already supported the call for a Commission of Inquiry. Over 80 Canadian Parliamentarians have also called on the government to do the same.
http://www.ndp.ca/press/new-democrats-call-for-un-commission-inquiry-on-burma
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The Bloc Quebecois Presses Stephen Harper to Get Involved in Ending the Crimes Against the Burmese People
Ottawa (Friday, September 3, 2010) – The Bloc Québécois Foreign Affairs Critic and MP for La Pointe‑de‑l’Îsle, Francine Lalonde, is pressing the Conservative government to support the creation of a special UN commission of inquiry into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Burmese military junta. Ms Lalonde said she was astonished by the Canadian government’s silence, especially since it preens itself on having imposed the world’s most stringent sanctions on Burma in December 2007.
“Today,” Ms Lalonde said, “we are calling upon Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon to have Canada join its voice to those of the United States, Great Britain and Australia, among others, asking that the United Nations set up a commission to shed light on the brutalities committed by the Burmese military junta against the Burmese people. The UN General Assembly is meeting this September 14; Canada has an obligation to propose the establishment of such a commission straight away.
“I would like to remind the Harper government,” the MP for La Pointe‑de‑l’Îsle said, “that in 2005 Parliament unanimously adopted the report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade dealing with a motion on Burma. That motion, in addition to forcefully condemning the repeated and systematic human rights violations committed by the military junta in Burma, strongly urged the Canadian government to do everything in its power to help re-establish rights and democracy in Burma. The Harper government’s failure to act is baffling, given the urgent need for a commission of inquiry.”